Last season I used a skate banana. I liked it, but it was just too stiff for me. I want a soft flex. I want something that I can easily ollie with and have a balance when I'm grindin. I felt the nana was too stiff and I tended to lose my balance on rails. I'm basically looking for a lightweight soft flex board because I plan on doing a lottt of rails and jibbing this season. With some casual jumps as well.

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Originally Posted by Combat_medic

Idk rookie like I tried last season believe me. I wasn't able to clear rails to the best of my ability. It was a medium flex. I didn't like that about it.

Dude something is not adding up here. There is no fucking way you should be having trouble ollieing a 154 banana unless you're doing something wrong. And I really don't see how getting a softer board is going to help your balance. That doesn't make any sense.

I'm wondering what your stance width is. From the sounds of things you are set up super narrow or something. Also how are you trying to ollie? The banana isn't the greatest for pop by any means, but it is not a hard board to ollie either.

Also how long have you been taking on rails? None of these questions are meant to be dickish either, I'm just trying to see if you can be saved the expense of buying a new board if you don't need one.

Nah, it's not only about being a good or strong enough rider. I know what the OP means. Compared to my Evo, my Skate Banana is a lot stiffer and less fun and playful. If the Evo is a 4 the SB is a 5/6 in feel. I can't explain all the technical shit but that just is how it is IMO. Arbor Draft if you're well into jibbing but has bronze edges .... Arbor Westmark/Blacklist NS Evo, for the halfway house.

Good suggestions. Westmark and Evo will be great. I can't remember off the top of my head but i think the blacklist is a bit stiffer than the westmark. Lib Tech's website says the banana has a flex of 4-6 depending on size so I assumed since a 154 is on the shorter size for 170 lbs it would feel more like a 4. I guess there's no better test than using it and judging for yourself though. You could also check out the K2 Parkstar. That's what I own and I feel like it does great at jumps as well as being flexy for jibs and fun. the jib-rocker profile is flat between the bindings which helps the stability. Then it rockers on the outside which makes it more playful. You should check it out. I own the 2011 board so the newer ones may even be a bit better.

Is the Parkstar a softer Darkstar? I really really liked the Darkstar!!! Flat camber sounds boring but rides lovely!!

I think pretty much. The only differences I see (for the 2011 version at least because I think they discontinued the darkstar) are that the parkstar is rocker/flat/rocker while the darkstar is flat all the way to the ends. This makes the parkstar a bit more flexy and fun and a bit better for the park. I have to say it handles extremely well all mountain as well though. Other than that, they sound pretty similar. The price tag is about +$30 for the parkstar. This is just buy stats and reviews since I have never actually ridden the darkstar. If you loved the darkstar though I'd be willingly to bet you'd love the parkstar at least as much if not more.